A manufacturer gets an enormous contract. The monthly production requirement increases however, the plant does not have enough space and has employees with previous experience or more hours to work during the day. The addition of a second shift could help temporarily, but it could be a source of new labor, training, supervision, and quality-control regulations.
Such situations highlight the purpose behind robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing human beings with a machine. The right software can change the way manufacturers utilize their production capacity.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Watch the second-to-second time between products
Inefficient manufacturing isn’t always apparent. Suppose an operator spends 15 minutes putting a piece of equipment in place for 10 seconds, then another 10 seconds applying the material, and a few seconds to transfer it onto the next task. It may appear to be a small difference for a single component. If repeated thousands of times, but those seconds turn into important production times.
It is the same with wasted material. A tiny amount of leftover coating or dispensing material multiplied over a large-scale production run could be a substantial expense.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding what equipment they need. The analysis by ASA’s experts is designed to pinpoint bottlenecks and quality issues as along with waste and other constraints within a project.
A Robot Must Fit the Process Around It
Robots are just one of many engineering choices. It might be necessary to add tooling, guarding and controls, sensors as well as conveyers, fixtures electrical integration, and communication with the current production equipment. Engineers must consider the reach of the robot and its payload as well as how it will interact with its environment and move about.
ASA offers concept development, system design, CAD simulation and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC’s robotic automation. The digital simulation lets engineers explore configurations, estimate cycle times, and to test the system prior to making it operating on the floor of a customer’s premises. This is especially useful when space is limited or if new robotics are required to integrate into an existing production line.
Paint and Dispensing demonstrates why Replicability is Critical.
Certain manufacturing processes illustrate the importance of controlled movement. Imagine covering a variety of components. The end goal isn’t simply completing each component quickly. It is crucial to manage the speed, distance and the movement of every component from the beginning until the at the very end.
ASA has experts who deal on dispensing and paint applications across various industries, such as aeronautics and automobile. Industrial robotic automation in these environments allows for reproducible movements while reducing the exposure of employees to physical demanding processes or those that could be dangerous.
Better control may also reduce the unnecessary use of materials, leading to less waste, as well as productivity improvement.
Installing the system is not enough. It is still necessary to have people to manage it.
Automating doesn’t completely eliminate the requirement for knowledge in manufacturing. The abilities required to operate, maintain, and control the process evolve.
Employees need to be trained to safely use equipment in order to identify any abnormalities as well as troubleshoot components that are malfunctioning and complete any necessary maintenance. The production requirements can also alter, which means that procedures and programs might require modification later.
ASA offers training on-site covering safety, programming troubleshooting, and electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company provides ongoing maintenance and servicing to ensure that equipment is in good condition and wear and tear problems are dealt with.
Capacity means more than just making work faster
In Australia, increasing capacity for production does not always mean adding workers to repetitive tasks or purchasing bigger buildings. Sometimes, the most important thing to consider is whether the present production process can be redesigned differently.
ASA has developed and integrated automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also provide support for projects in other countries. Its method combines analysis of needs with engineering, simulations FANUC robotic integration and training and even servicing.
Automation is not for the sake of it. A system worth investing in should offer a manufacturer measurable results, which include increased reliability of production, improved quality, safer methods with less waste, or a greater capacity.